Game 82: Evan Longoria’s 3 Hits Not Enough As Rays Lose

The Tampa Bay Rays won game one of Friday’s day-night double-header against the Baltimore Orioles thanks to a live offense and a good pitching performance from Alex Colome. But in game two they could not repeat their success, as the offense and bullpen both struggled en route to a 4-1 loss.

The Rays began the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning when James Loney hit a solo home run, and it looked like their offense might carry over from game one. But after that, the offense would go stagnant the rest of the game, and Loney’s homer would be the only run the Rays could manage. Evan Longoria did have a nice 3-4 night, but Rays hitters not named Longo would get just 2 hits, and the team as a whole drew only one walk. The offense continues to be inconsistent this season, but at least Longoria has been hitter better as of late.

Jake Odorizzi allowed the Orioles to tie the game up with a run in the bottom of the 2nd, but that was the only run he would allow in 5.0 innings of work. Odorizzi struck out a solid 6 hitters, though he allowed an uncharacteristic 4 walks, something he has only done one other time in an outing this year. Odorizzi gave the Rays a chance to win, but the bullpen… well that was another story. Potential trade candidate Juan Carlos Oviedo allowed a solo shot to Nick Hundley in his inning of relief, and then Joel Peralta gave up a 2-run home run to Nelson Cruz in the 7th. At least Cesar Ramos was able to throw a scoreless 8th inning. Definitely not the type of outing you want to see from the bullpen, though with the offense struggling it didn’t matter much anyways.

The Rays and Orioles will be back in action tomorrow at 4:05 EST. Erik Bedard will start in what could be his last outing as a Ray, and he will be opposed by Wei-Yin Chen.